12 Comments
User's avatar
Bobbie's avatar

Can u use this method for container gardening? Please let me know.

Expand full comment
Angela K. Nickerson's avatar

Yes! And you could do the drop in a nearby flower bed if you have one. Otherwise, do it in your pots! You can even cover the chopped material with a little fresh compost.

Expand full comment
Bobbie's avatar

Ty! Love ur Substack I live Colorado too so they are very helpful for me❣️

Expand full comment
Angela K. Nickerson's avatar

Oh, I am so glad!! Hello, neighbor!!

Expand full comment
JaySo's avatar

I absolutely, highly admire how you put it all together. The past, perspective and practicality.

Expand full comment
Angela K. Nickerson's avatar

Thank you! That is such a lovely compliment! Thanks for reading!

Expand full comment
Sarah Ochoa's avatar

I do this! I think I leave pieces too big, so I’ll try to make them smaller this year.

Expand full comment
Angela K. Nickerson's avatar

I actually leave the pieces big until Midsomer. By then all the little eggs have hatched and hibernating creatures are out. And then I cut them smaller. So that’s a thought!

Expand full comment
lunafaer (she/they)'s avatar

every few years some industrious person asks to take our leaves. dude. we’ve lived here for a decade and never once raked our leaves.

Expand full comment
Aaron Sherman's avatar

Angela—

We will do this method FOREVER now. We went through the garden on Saturday, cutting down and shredding all the dead flowers and plants from last year. By Sunday, we saw mama cardinal picking up pieces of discarded bits and flying away. This morning, there are more cardinals and robins rooting through the detritus, pulling perfect nest materials out and fluttering off, only to return moments later to continue their hunting. It is so gratifying to see the garden full of life already! Thank you!

—Aaron and Jelena

Expand full comment
Brittany's avatar

I chop and drop my rhubard leaves right below the plant as a mulch! They are poisonous to eat, but great for the soil!

Expand full comment
InviteNatureHome's avatar

Great Info! 🙌 we chop & drop our healthy veg in the Autumn into our Raised Beds, to keep adding to the soil for the next year. Wildflowers hardly need any chopping since the Bunnies do it for us over Winter! ❄️

Expand full comment